What the UK election changes for EU citizens are and who it affects.
There have been changes for EU citizens in some UK elections that affect which elections EU citizens can vote in and stand as a candidate in.
The changes follow the UK's departure from the European Union and were introduced as part of the Elections Act.
They came into effect after 7 May 2024 and apply to:
- local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
What has changed
You will now only be able to register, vote or stand as a candidate in these elections if:
- you're a citizen of Denmark, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal and Spain who:
- is a resident in the UK
- has permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- does not need permission
- you're a citizen of any other EU country who on, or before 31 December 2020:
- was legally a resident in the UK
- had permission to enter or stay in the UK, Channel Islands or Isle of Man
- did not need permission, and this has continued without a break
EU citizens cannot vote or stand as a candidate in UK Parliament elections.
If you have a letter or email about your eligibility to vote
We're reviewing the eligibility of current EU citizens who are registered to vote.
As part of this review, we're contacting EU citizens to either tell them:
- they're still eligible to vote in some UK elections
- we're not sure if they're eligible to vote in some UK elections, and asking them to provide information that we can use to confirm if they're eligible
If we tell you that you're still eligible to vote
You don't need to do anything.
You'll remain eligible and you can vote in upcoming elections in your area, excluding UK Parliament elections.
If we ask you to provide information to confirm your eligibility
You'll be asked if you meet the eligibility criteria. Your response will only be shared with the Electoral Registration Officer.
To confirm your eligibility, you'll need to either:
- go to the GOV.UK website, details on how to log in will be included in the letter or email from us
- complete a paper form and return it to us: this form will be included in the letter or email from us
If you confirm you do not meet the eligibility criteria, or you do not provide the details we ask for, you'll no longer be eligible to vote in:
- Local elections
- Police and Crime Commissioner elections
Contact us
- Email: electoral.services@bristol.gov.uk
- Phone: 0117 922 3400
For more information, visit the Electoral Commission's website.